Collapsible table



June 16, 1931. RIESCHE 1,809,866

COLLAPS IBLE TABLE Filed Oct. 10. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 16, 1931. L, H, R'IE CHE 1,809,866

COLLAPS IBLE TABLE Filed Oct. 10. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 16, 1931 LOUIS H. RIESCHE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOI S COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Application filed October 10, 1928. Serial No. 398,805.

This invention relates to a collapsible table,

and more particularlyto a collapsible or foldable table for use in automobiles, motor bosses, airplanes, and any similar installations or uses where a compact, easily manipulated service table of the character disclosed may be desired. An object of the invention is the provision of-a collapsible table adapted to occupy a minimum space and having the collapsing or folding mechanism entirely concealed when not in use so as to avoid projections on the exterior of the device. A further object is the provision of a device of this nature, durable and efficient in operation,

which may be readily installed and adjusted, and economical in manufacture.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangement; of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming. a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device of the invention mounted upon the back of the front seat of a motor car;

Fig 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the device in folded or collapsed position;

Fi 4 is a similar vertical sectional view showin the table partially extended to more clearly illustrate the operation of the folding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6'is a sectional view from the rear 40 of the device, taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig.2; Fig. 8 is a detailed section on line 8-8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing one of the mounting lugs;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified form of construction for hanging or mounting the table in place; and

Inasmuch'as the construction and operation Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the .floor attachin device shown in Fig. 10.

As illustrated in the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the device is incorporated in a frame havin top and bottom members 15 and 16,respect1vely, and vertical side members 17 and 18. These members are preferabl constructed, as shown, to constitute a relat1vely shallow rectangular frame, which may be secured to'the back of an automobile seat, as shown in Fig. 1, or other support by upper and lower lugs 19, each of whichis preferably provided with a tapered slot for engagement with a screw or bolt head 20.

Mounted upon the inner edge of the table or shelf 21 are two elevating rods 22 and 23, each of which has a turned handle portion 24 at the inner extremity. Adjacent the handle portion 24, each rod passes through an opening in a bracket 25, and adjacent the outer edge a second bracket 26 within which is arranged a coiled spring 27 disposed between a pin 28 and the inner wall of the bracket 26, all as clearly shown in Fig.

are duplicated upon the opposite or left-hand side of the device, a description of the ar rangement upon the right-hand side from which the detailed views are taken, will sufiice. Each of the vertical frame portions 60 17 and 18 is provided with a vertical channel 29 upon the inner surface, preferably having inturned flanges 30, adapted to slidabl engage enlarged head 31 of the adjacent r0 and each channel is provided with a 1717 socket 32 at the point where table 21 reaches the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, it will be seen that rods 22 and-23 are normally urged outwardly by springs 27, and are adapted to support the table in a horizontal position. Cooperatingwith the rods for this purpose, there is mounted upon each side of the device an upper-slotted link 33 and a lower slotted link 34. The upper or inner extremity of link 33 is pivotally mounted on bolt 35, and links 33 and 34 are both engaged by a sliding pivot member 36, adapted to slidewithin slots of both links 33 and 34 when folding, as shown in Fig. 4, and. also adapted to maintain the links in extended position, as shown in Fig. 2. Adjacent each outer corner of table 31 is mounted an adjusting bracket 37 provided with a slot 38 upon the upper sur ace thereof-for engagement by bracket 39 by means of bolt 40, and bracket 39 is also provided with a vertical portion u n which the lower end of link 34 is pivote by pivot member 41. Thus, when it is desired to adjust the extended position of table 11, when the frame is mounted upon supports havin different angles of incllnation, for examp e, each bracket 39 is adjusted to the appropriate position by means of bolt 40.

A modified form of mounting or hanger for the device is shown in Fig. 10, in whlch a pair of clamps 42 are adapted to engage the upper edge of an automobile seat, for

'example, and upon each lower corner there is mounted a strap 43 having an opening engaged by hook bolt 44. A second hook bolt 45 engages a screw-eye 46 secured to the floor, and a turnbuckle 47 is threaded upon the hook bolts for tightening the mounting devices in place. This method of mounting is particularl adaptable where it is not feasible or desirab to attach supporting bolts or screws to the back of the supporting structure. A spring latch 48 is mounted upon the outer edge of table 21, and is adapted to operate with keeper 49 upon frame member 24 for maintaining the device in closed position.

To open the table from the position shown in Fig. 3, it is but necessary to release latch 48 and raise the rear edge of the table by means of handle portions 24. When the man I edge has been brought to a horizontal position, the ends of rods 22 and 23 extend within the respective sockets 32, and each pair of links 33 and 34 is extended to the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the device is folded in accordance with the operations shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the link members 33 and 34 are concealed within the device, and inasmuch as these parts are preferably composed of relatively thin sheet metal, a minimum amount of space is required which contributes to the compactness of the device, and no cumbersome and obstructive hinges or other mechanism is necessary on the exterior. To collapse the device, handle portions 24 are drawn toward each other to withdraw the rod ends {from the sockets 32 which 66 to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lette Patent is: u

1. A collapsible table comprising a frame provided with vertically extending slots, an extensible table member,'spring pressed rods mounted upon the inner edge of said table member and ada ted to be slidably engaged in said slots, sai frame also provided with sockets in said slots within which said rods are adapted to extend when said table is in elevated position, link members connecting the outer edge of said table member and the upper portion of saidframe, and means for varying the link connection upon said table, substantially as described.

2. A collapsible table comprising a frame provided with vertically extending slots, an extensible table member, means mounted upon the inner edge of said table member and adapted to be slidably engaged in said slots, link members connectin the outer edge of said table member and t e upper portion of said frame, said link members being slotted and provided with a slidable ivot engagement, substantially as described.

3. A collapsible table comprising a frame provided with vertically extending slots, an

.extensible table member, spring pressed rods mounted upon the inner ed e of said tablemember and ada ted to be 5 idably engaged in said slots, sai frame also provided with sockets in said slots within which said rods are ada ted to extend when said table is in elevate position, link members connecting the outer edge of said table member and the upper portion of said frame, said link members being slotted and provided with a slidable pivot engagement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

I LOUIS H. RIESCHE. I 

